Police officer investigated for Taser use

Investigation launched after Taser used at school

An Orlando police officer is being investigated after he used a Taser on a woman at a local school.

Officer Andre Howard was suspended for 40 hours after he was caught on camera pushing a Walmart customer into a jewelry counter and putting a Taser to her head in December.

An investigative report stated Howard said if he had to do it again, he would have used a different approach. He was disciplined for his actions, but is currently facing another investigation after a complaint that he abused his power at the school.

Surveillance video from the Walmart incident in December was the reason why Howard was suspended without pay.

According to a report from internal affairs, Howard yelled, "You better shut that (expletive) down and get out of my store," and, "If you don't shut the (expletive) up, I will tase you."

Police said it started with an argument between Stephanie Hayman and her boyfriend, who was a Walmart employee.

Store management said Hayman was yelling and cursing. Eventually, Howard took Hayman by the collar and forced her out of the store.

Four months later, Latoyia Lane said Howard was at it again.

"He shoved and pushed me out of the blue. When somebody pushes you, your first reaction is to jump," Lane said.

Video showed Lane moments after Howard used a Taser gun on her outside Memorial Middle School.

Lane said she went to the school after she said Howard pushed her 14-year-old niece into a glass door.

Howard wrote in his arrest report that Lane was yelling and disrupting school functions.

Lane also filed a complaint that Howard has an aggression problem.

Investigators would not comment about Lane's complaint because the investigation is ongoing.

However, officials said Howard did violate department policy by pointing the Taser gun at Hayman's head.

The policy states Tasers should not be pointed or deployed to areas near the chest or above.

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